The term hippotherapy originates from the Greek word, “hippos”, meaning horse or equine. Hippotherapy is a treatment strategy provided by licensed and specially trained occupational therapists, physical therapists, or speech-language pathologists as part of a patient’s overall treatment plan. The therapist uses the movement of the horse to help address and improve function. The horse’s walk provides multidimensional movement, which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. This movement is modified by trained horse handlers under the direction of the therapist. Hippotherapy can be used to facilitate coordination and timing, grading of responses, respiratory control, sensory integration skills, attention skills, speech production skills, swallowing and receptive, expressive and pragmatic language skills.

Animal Assisted Speech/Occupational Therapy: Occupational Therapists and Speech Language Pathologists are able to provide therapy services with the assistance of the wonderful animals at Pal-O-Mine, including horses, ponies, miniature horses, miniature donkeys, sheep, chickens and a cat. Clients respond well to therapy incorporating activities with animals, and a variety of therapy goals can be addressed using this treatment strategy.

Clinic Location: Occupational Therapy in Motion and Speech Language Pathology in Motion offer a variety of other highly effective treatment strategies in their Hauppauge clinic, conveniently located just 5 minutes from Pal-O-Mine at 300 Wheeler Road, Suite 106, Hauppauge NY.